A First Chance And Another Chance - Farrell On Ireland Against Japan

Illo Stewart Bohan
Head Coach Andy Farrell has included four uncapped players in the Ireland 23 to play Japan in Round 2 of the Nations Championship on Saturday. The team is significantly changed from Round 1 as Farrell gives players 'a first chance and another chance'.

Connacht’s Sean Jansen will make his debut at number 8, while the Western province's props Billy Bohan and Sam Illo (pictured above) are named on the bench alongside Ulster's Bryn Ward.

Commenting on the selection Farrell said, "People get their first chance, some people get another chance, to show us what they've got going forward and whether they can truly believe that they're going to add to this team and be part of what's coming up over the next wee while,"

"I suppose, you are running out of opportunities for that to happen, to give these lads their legs and to take on board learnings from last week and taking us forward as a group, is there for everyone to attack this weekend."

"I'm really excited about this one for all sorts of reasons," Farrell continued.

"Obviously, it's always a special occasion when you give one person a debut, never mind four. Really looking forward to how they apply themselves to attacking the game, first and foremost, because that's the role they're able to add to the team and the performance behind all that.

"But making sure that the rest of the team are there to support them and for it to be a special day for them. So, yeah, huge congratulations to the four of them.

"It's business time now. They need to rip in."

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Ireland Team v Japan 26